Scott Davis has been appointed interim head coach of the UC Santa Cruz women’s basketball team, succeeding Monica Armstrong after her four‑year tenure that concluded with a 12‑12 record last season.
A Veteran Leader Returns
Davis brings a wealth of experience that spans high school and college programs across California. He previously guided Dominican University’s Penguins to a No. 5 national ranking in 2005 and earned two California Pacific Conference Coach of the Year honors, leading that squad to an 81‑20 record over four seasons.
Chris Spells, UCSC’s director of athletics and recreation, expressed confidence in Davis’s ability to steer the Banana Slugs forward, citing his proven track record of building competitive teams and his deep roots in the region’s basketball community.
The program’s recent performance under Armstrong set a foundation of stability, and Davis is expected to leverage that momentum while integrating his own administrative insights, having served in roles ranging from athletics director to conference commissioner.
With the support of the university’s athletic department and a roster that includes returning players such as Ella Dueck and Caitlin Lavelle, the team aims to contend for conference honors and advance deeper into the NCAA West Region Tournament.